Seventy-four students from seven counties were among those honored for their entries in the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District’s 2009 Earth Day Poster and Trash Art Contest. First place, second place and honorable mentions were awarded.
A total of 559 entries—405 posters and 154 trash art creations—were received from 24 schools in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. This is the 17th year for the contest.
Earth Day was Apr. 22, and winning entries were exhibited at the Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Earth Day celebration on Apr. 22 on the Rolla campus and at the Fort Leonard Wood Earth Day celebration on Apr. 25.
In the near future, the winning exhibits will also be featured in a photo gallery on MRPC’s webpage at www.meramecregion.org.
“Our entry numbers were up tremendously this year and the quality of the work was extremely good, and that made judging very difficult and time consuming,” said Tammy Snodgrass, environmental programs manager at Meramec Regional Planning Commission.
“We had some very creative posters and the trash art was wonderful. We were amazed at the creativity of some of these students,” said Teri Smith, MRPC environmental specialist, who coordinated this year’s program. “We want to recognize the teachers and parents that helped their students participate and encourage their students to be more aware of the impact recycling can have on our planet.”
This year’s theme was is “Let’s Go Green! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Both the poster and trash art contests were open to all grades, and students could enter both contests. First place winners received $50 savings bonds and second place winners received earth-friendly prizes. Certificates were also awarded for honorable mentions. Every student that participated will receive a small gift.
Area banks helped co-sponsor the contest by providing the savings bonds. Those providing savings bonds or cash included: Peoples Bank of Cuba, Legends Bank of Belle, Central Federal Savings and Loan of Rolla, Bank of Crocker, Maries County Bank of Vienna.
Citizens Bank of Newburg, Peoples Bank of Steelville, Community Bank of Owensville, Peoples Savings Bank of Rhineland, Legends Bank of Owensville, Phelps County Bank of Rolla, Legends Bank of Linn, Progressive Ozark Bank of Salem.
Town and Country Bank of Rolla, Hawthorne Bank of St. Robert, Bank of Iberia at Waynesville, Bank of Salem, Community Bank—Maries County Bank of Dixon and Belle State Bank.
This contest is a part of the district’s effort to increase awareness of the solid waste problem and to generate interest in reducing the amount of waste deposited in area landfills. Education and awareness are key components of the district’s solid waste management plan.
The Ozark Rivers District has developed a solid waste management plan to reduce by 40 percent the amount of waste deposited in area landfills. The district’s plan focuses primarily on recycling, education and assisting large generators with waste reduction.
MRPC provides day-to-day administration to Ozark Rivers and carries out its programs. Persons needing solid waste information should contact Tammy Snodgrass at (573) 265-2993.